WILMINGTON — After being delayed by several hours by technical difficulties, the New Hanover County Board of Election completed a recount in the Wilmington city council election where incumbent candidates Neil Anderson and Paul Lawler were separated by just five votes.
When the polls closed on Election Day, incumbent Mayor Pro-Tem Margaret Haynes took the top of three spots, followed by newcomer Kevin Spears, and then incumbent Anderson ahead of Lawler by six votes. The canvass earlier this month narrowed that margin to five votes: 5,472 for Anderson and 5,467 for Lawler.
Last week, Lawler called for a recount, citing the closeness of the race. Lawler noted it was a longshot and acknowledged during this week’s city council meeting that it could be his last.
On Thursday, the Board of Election conducted the recount; while initially delayed by difficulties with the machine that tabulates votes, it was eventually completed Thursday evening. Anderson held his five-vote lead over Lawler.
